After the tsunami hit in December 2004, about 12,000 houses were damaged in the eastern part of Sri Lanka. This resulted in an extreme shortage of skilled labor and an increase in price of labor and building materials. Solid House Foundation wanted to help but they were not simply concerned with the building of a house but with improving the entire living environment for the long term. It provides an integrated approach to housing, water and sanitation, education, economic development, health and safety, and community buildings through the use of the EcoShell.